The documentary Fanm Zetwal, A Story of Life and Miracles has been nominated for the Grammy award in the Best Music Video/Long Version category.
Directed by Claudia Hernández, with executive production by Francisco Nuño, the video shows the experiences and motivations of the group’s women, and narrates their story through customs, rituals, dances and music of Afro-Haitian descent.
The audiovisual material is a co-production by the Nicolás Guillén Foundation and the Yambambó music production company, in collaboration with the Swiss Embassy in Cuba and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, and it makes life stories visible in order to leave a legacy for new generations.
Attached to the Yambambó sociocultural project in the Tuero community of Ciego de Avila, Fanm Zetwal is made up of 16 descendants of Haitian families, who defend the music and dances of their ancestors and transmit respect for Afro-Cuban culture and traditions in their work.
Project leader Esperanza Daudinot said that the idea is to defend Haitian women’s traditions within the community, including cuisine, religious ceremonies, traditional festivities and the use of medicinal plants, and to involve families and political and mass organizations.
Fanm Zetwal, which means star women, not only defends the drum major ritual bequeathed by their parents and grandparents, but also preserves singing in the Creole language and stands out as an advocate for women’s empowerment and gender equality.
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